Guy Fawkes night panic as youths go on the rampage at bonfires

Police and firefighters under attack

- RICHARD ELIAS

BONFIRE Night chaos led to parts of the country being described as “like war zones” despite legislation aimed at reducing the problem.

Police said there had been a near-40% reduction in the number of incidents reported this year yet some people claimed Wednesday evening had been “by far the worst”.

Fire crews were called out to more than 250 bonfires and there were several reports of crews being attacked.

Overall just two arrests were made but police have vowed that their inquiries will continue and anyone involved in disturbances on Wednesday night will face the consequences.

One of the most serious incidents occurred in West Dunbartonshire.

It involved youths throwing a lit firework into a busy takeaway when a number of customers, including children were inside.

Mobile phone footage showed a group of hooded youths approaching the rear of Picasso in Dalmuir.

One is seen to open the backdoor while another is seen throwing the firework inside.

Staff and customers can be seen fleeing as the pyrotechnic explodes.

Owner of Picasso, Sef Masoum, said: “There were about 50 kids outside. They opened the back door and shot a firework from the back of the shop.

“There were little kids in the front of the shop. Everyone got frightened.” The 23-year-old added: “It was very dangerous.

“There is gas in here and it could have caused a fire or an explosion.

“I went outside but there was a lot of them. They were everywhere.

“I closed the back of the shop afterwards.”

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Problems were also reported two miles away in Clydebank.